Stop meter



Jan. 24, 1950v A, N, MiLsTER 2,495,340

sToPMETER Filed March 14, 1945 3 shews-sneet 1 FIGQE,

INVENTOR'.

HURNMIL'STER BY W A ToRNEY I Jan. 24, 195() A. N. MlLsTx-:R 2,495,340

` .STOPMETER Filed March 14, 1945 5 SheecsSheet 2 lNvl-:N'roR: ARTHURNMILSTER ATTORNEY BY JW Jan. 24, 1950 A. N. MILSTER STOPMETER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 14, 1945 FIG.5.

.. R me TT N5 E M V W M BU. H T. .R A

BY s/Wd;

ATTORNEY Patented `Ivan. 24,` 1950 WagnerzEle'cti-ic .forporatonizsiziiLouis;` Mol; a.;A corporationtofDelaware Application Mrchldf, 1945,"Se`ril N;.582,712v f This inventionfrelates ytoi-'devicesy -fo'r measuring` braking characteristics of vehiclesor othermnov' ing-bodies uin terms of` lineal fdi'sta'nces fan'dfin. its morefspecicaspectsis sdi'recte'dto ifa idevieecaer pable lof making'fpermanent irecords ofthe-lineal distances.'-

One; of: the I`objectsof,this inventionvvis :ltopro: videafstopmeter 'adaptedito make a: permanent record of the l"braking: characteristics: :ofr :"a 'selZ propelledzvehicle.'-y

Another lfobject foffrfthis' finventionflis'sto-fprovide astopmeterwhich is capable-fof` producing I'fafperzg man'ent record] ofreachftest stop: ingraphical'form showing: the` stopping2k distances; thefn in:` stantaneous values of speeds ,"fand' changes 'therein during the entire fstoppingfordecelerationz-iperiodf' f A! still fur-ther' object.' of theifinventionf-fisto provide a lstoprn'eter :capablevoi producing ay pereA manent record-iwith rmeans topreventLtheaopdy eration of rthe fstopmeterzun'tilf the towing fivehicle" orfxmovingbody has; attained aipreselctedfspeed:

Another andrstillffurth'er object-iofitlief` lnvenr-s tion is to providebabstopmetercapable 'ot-producev ingapermanent recordiproducingftypeistopmeter having l incorporated therein means :enablingrathe operator tosele'ct the test periodzandrotherzmeans to automatically preventa recordftest. until' 'the Vehicle has 'attained `afprese1ected speedi-` In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a View, partly lin. section',rshowing the essential elements 'of th'e 4stopxnetem'v Figure 2 is a sectional viewiofthe inertiarswitch employed in Figure-71j f Figure 3 shows a'viewgpartlyi inf'sectionottai modified form. of: thelinvention; f.

FigurefBa is a f circuit 'diagrama-of:fthefsdevice shown in Figure-3;r Y

Figure 4 'shows/ra perspective vlewfoffthesase semloled` device of Figure 43;#

Figure 5 sshows 4aavs'firirrg:diagnanfrfof another modificationr of the structure in Figure ,71; and:i

Figure 6 'shows lthe generalV assemblyviewzo the 'mode of attachmentrof ithe fstopmetergitouaa moving vehicle..A y

Figure l sets forth Aafipreferredaembodiment:offy

portion Hof la housing; supporting=-fthe fmeasuring and operating1 -devices :necessaryg to :recordfA the; data' during, the stopping test.A Thisdevicef. originates in .a Wheeli 2 suitably?arrangedcinf la; frame 3 :provided-with" an:v axle v4 f onfewhi'chcthe wheel `2t is rotatablyV mounted.: 'I'heepart offggear. set. 5 which is fiXedito-axle'll, meshes 'with another p art of 'the'igeansetfxed tofaeexibleshaft 6' andv ISlClaims. (Cln73-1128Y transmits rotative lnriovementsfrom vtheswheeleto; 55|` theipperating mechanism;- Shaft' "r terminates irr couplingfl fthreaolably securedto 'arr approprii is toperatively'connected /tofshaft 6"by; means of coupling 1. Bushing 58 forms the bearingr for shaft? iwhich*operates `a speed responsive mech.= anisnr" IIlcomprising-ar plurality fof-'Weights II whose# distance from thev centerline of shaft 9 Variessiproportionally to `their'speed of rotation; the lprinciple of operation-beingsimilar tothe well knownf-f yb'all'* governor: The several Weights I I-'-I-I `are secured-to iarms I 3"-I 3 ivhichare piv otal'ly attachedl to'shaft '9 "by pIrIZ" The upper end of 'eachf ofithemrossarms' I3i-I3"is:oper ativelvpassociatediwithh'ead*device I 4 'rigidly r"secured to shaft I 5'wh'ichs lslidably "journalledein bearingil@attached-to housing-I byboss |11" Pin ZD'Lengages-fan annular 'gro'ovez,`in"'shaft J I 5 "which rotatablyl 'secures :collar I 8 L'to ksaid shaft: Spring 20d attachedto 1pin-*2li "and-bearing I6 urges fshaft I5 land collar. I 8 to the "zero speed position as shovvnfin4 Figure; 1; Lever" I 9 carrying stylus 22 ispivoted at L2| to yboss I1. Pin."20"operatively 'connects lever* I 9 withr collar. rI 8 and thus imparts the vertic'alrnotion of 'shaft' 'I5 to vlever I9;4 The stylus' 22 A'is positionedlto suitablyjscribe chart23 mounted Voncharth'older 2 3d.

Shaftf. 9 e has a helical gear V24 xedvthereon which meshes with a second 'helical gear25 hired toa shaft"26 journaledina, bearingiZ'lI Shaft '26 has a l clutch devicefi 28T operatively associated therewith. comprising ,am pair. of .di's'cs 2 9 and. y 3 D betweenewhich' a springl (is, arranged.' Thevdisc 29?Y has.. aenotch 32 .'i'frmed therein, linwwhichl a plunger `33,1operatecl by asolenoid/iis receivable.`

The recordsheetl23lissuitahlysecured ,to a record.

sheet lholderlmounted; inhousing lwhich is part of rcasingfIm C1'utch:28.has. suitable friction elements,,thereinmhich :enable discs 29and 30.150

slipgduringathe.inoperative.conditionl of'ithe stopf meter, `hut y,when plunger :33.is withdrawn 1from notch ,.32ithe; chart or lrecord'sheet-Miami holder ZSasuppOrtingythe saine-,Willberotatedfy bymeans thus records both the speed changes and the distance travelled during the selected test period.

Means has been provided in the instant disci@ sure to inform the operator when the vehicle has attained a preselected speed from which the test is to be started and further has provided means to prevent the rotation of chart holder 23a until such preselected speed has been achieved. To this end the speed responsive device terminating in lever I9 has operatively associated therewith a switch generally designated by 36 controlling a set of signals 31 and a solenoid and inertia op-V erated switch 38.

Switch 36 is a selector switch which includes three elements 39, 40, and 4I. The position of switch element 49 is controlled by the speed responsive lever I9. A member 42 extends between lever I9 and switch element 40, said member being pivoted to lever I9 at 42a and slidably received through an aperture in switch element 49. Stop 43 adjustably received on 42 determines when 40 will be moved relative to the parts 39 and 4I. Therefore, when lever I9 moves vertically in response to the variations in speed of wheel 2, switch element 40 will be moved from its normal position shown in Figure 1 in which contacts 44 and 45 secured to switch elements 39 and 40, respectively, are closed to the position in which contacts 46 and 41 are brought into engagement. The element 40, being resilient in character, will be restored to the position in which contacts 44 and 45 are in engagement with each other at the completion of a stopping test at which time lever I9 will be urged to its uppermost or zero position by spring 29a.

Switch 36 and its component parts are connected to the elements of signal 31 which corn-V prises a pair of lamps 48 and 49 each of which may be of different color, green being the color selected for lamp 48 and red for lamp 49. Other modes or forms of signals may be employed such as different toned buzzers or any other combination of visible or audible signals. The switch 36 also controls certain elements in the switch 38 and the several circuits connecting the same are subsequently set forth. For green light 48, indicating insuiiicient speed, the circuit originates in a ground connection I and is connected to the switch element 4U by means of a conductor 52 thence through contacts 44 and 45, switch element 39, conductor 53, lamp 48, conductors 54 and 55, a source of supply or battery 56, conductor 51 to ground connection 58. As previously set forth, when the speed of the vehicle has reached a preselected value based upon the position of stop element 43 on rod or connector 42, the switch element 40 will be shifted to close contacts 46 and 41. This will establish another circuit which originates in the ground connection 5I by means of conductor 52 through switch element 40, contacts 46 and 41, switch element 4I,

conductor 59, conduit 60, conductor 6I, and

thence by way of conductor 55 through battery 56 and conductor 51 to ground 58, thereby closing the circuit to red lamp 49, thus indicating to the operator that the vehicle under test has reached its preselected speed.

The energizing circuit for the solenoid 34 il responsive to switch 38 which is under the control of switch 36 and is necessarily responsive to the speed of the vehicle under test. The inertia switch 38 comprises a housing 62 in which a frame is arranged comprising a plurality of rods 63, one

end of each being xed to an insulating plate 64 and at their opposite ends are secured to a second able by a contact 1I secured to a flexible element 12. The exible element 12 is secured at its one end to the non-conducting ring 64 and a conductor 13 is electrically connected to element 12,

and 13 is connected to conductor 14. Arranged within the frame is a ball 15, the position of which is responsive to the deceleration of the vehicle under test. In order to prevent the ball from rolling to the right, as viewed in Figure 2, it is heldin the left hand position by means of the plunger 11 of solenoid 16 whose head 16 formed thereon is engageable with the ball 15. The plunger 11 is retained in its downward position by means of a spring 19 and when the solenoid 16 is energized, plunger 11 is urged away from the ball, thereby freeing ball 15 and enabling it to move to the right during the period the vehicle under test is being decelerated, thereby placing the contacts 18 and 1I in engagement.

The solenoid 16 has a pair of binding posts 80 and 8| thereon which have conductors 82 and 83 connected thereto included in the switch circuit previously set forth. During the inoperative condition of the stopmeter the' circuit to the solenoid 16 is open but when the appropriate speed has been reached, then solenoid 16 becomes energized and will lift plunger 11 to free the ball 15. This circuit originates in the ground connection 5I and thence by conductor 52 to switch element 40, contacts 46 and 41, conductors 59 and B2, solenoid 16, conductor 83, thence by way of a portion of conductor 55, battery 56 and conductor 51 to ground 58, thereby completing the circuit.

The closure 65 has secured thereto a solenoid 84 having a plunger 85 therein. The solenoid is secured to housing 62 by means of a plurality of screws 65a and the conductor 14 connected in series with contacts 10 and 1I carries the source of power to the solenoid 84. yThe conductor 14 is permanently connected to one end of coil 84 and the othery end terminates in rod 13. A spring 81 is intended to urge the plunger 85 to the position indicated in Figure 2. The circuit for energizingsolenoid 84 is independent of switch 36 and originates in a groundjconnection 89 thence by means of conductor 99 to one of the binding posts 9I, solenoid 34, binding post 92, conductor 93, binding post 86',y coil 84, conductor 14, conductor 13, contact supporting element 12, contacts-1I and 1li thence through conductor 66, conductor 94, conductor 55, battery 56, and conductor 51 to ground 58. The energization of solenoid coil.84 will cause plunger to move to the right into engagement with ball 15 to keep the circuit closed after the ball has closed the contacts 10 and 1I because of deceleration of the vehicle. As indicated, this plunger will maintain the circuit closed during the entire period of test so as to prevent the possibility of a false or unintentional opening of the circuit for the solenoid 34 during the period of test. The plunger 85 of solenoid 84 may be manually moved to the left and thus restored to the position shown in Figure 2 thereby opening the circuit and placing the stopmeter in condition for another test run.

' cular disc. ence numerals as in Figure L1.

--'Ba211-1'5' normally tends. to move to` :vthetleft by ..reasonfof v.tiltof the rod elements w63. "Tlhe :switch Yelement 4D moves to the upward yposit-ion after speed 'responsive arm t9 s restored to its zero .f position.

The :modification shown in Figures 3 and zis'ets forth a structure that'is basically the same vasin lFigure l with the exception that the record sheet .is :a continuous strip of paper lrat-her than a cir- .'Ihe basic .structure, such as control."circuits,y signals, et cetera,

Hof .Figure 1 is employed in Figure 3 Whose zopera 1 tion with respect tothe record sheet is likewise 1 .the same.

The housing '95 iis generally 'shown in' Figures l 3 and 4 and has a cover idevice 96 hingedthereto in which the record sheet andimechanism' th-erefor is arranged. Thek record sheet isdriven .from the principal shaft 19in the same manner as the. 1 circular disc of Figure l, Ithe power being taken .from shaft@ by means of a pair of bevelr gears v91 .and 98. .Gear l91 operates one portion 'of a clutch assembly 919 with spr-ing element '|00 insorted therebetween which :corresponds to spring element 3|. A disc lill is xed to .a shaft |02ro- Htatably mounted in cover `lll? and a disc ||l3 4assol ciated with a shaft |94 ldriven by gear 91 engages with theresilient element I 0.0 to transmit rotative :motion to shaft |02. The. clutchparts are'shovvnseparated for purposes of clarity. Associated'with shaft 92 is aworm 105. Worm Ill5v drives `a worm gear It, to which theshaft of gear |68 `and spool |69 are rigidly fixed. Spool `|l9^is appropriately rotatably supported in `cover `element 96. Gear |03 meshes wit-'n and .drives .gear |01 toavliich roller H2 is secured. .A supply ofy suitably pre- 'printed graphic record sheet -I I0 is arranged Lona second spool l Il lkewiseappropriately rotatabh mounted in -cover `96.

is perforated at its edges in order that it may engage with the proper spike formations `on the roller I I2 to properly Withdraw the graphic sheet fromspool i I I and wind it taut onto the spool |09.

An appropriate scriber ||3 arranged on arm I9 properly records the speed and stopping 'distance measured by the instrument. In order that movement will be initiated in the record sheet, f

means similar to elec-tromagnet 34 are provided ,in kthe form oi a solenoid or electromagnet |'I:4

.likewise appropriately arranged-in cover 7$5.6. The

plunger .I I thereof is .connected bymeans of arm 'Ill-i to a rock shaft |I1 havingl an arm `I I8 theref fon engageable in an appropriate slot in disc I I.

Upon energizaton of solenoid ||4, shaft |I'| -is rotated in its bearings I |9 and|2 to withdraw `SIB which is hingedor otherwise arranged onhousing e5 to enclose spool elements |09 and and solenoid Wi and associated parts. The cooperation of solenoid I`I with respect to the other parts lof 'the circuit shown in Figure l is the same, it

being understood that the circuit which'includes .the selector switch 35, signals 31,".'inertia switch .38 and its component parts is the same as em ployed in the Figure 2 disclosure. Except for the type of record sheet used the operation isidentical.,

The sainer parts beary the .same refer-'- Thev graphicrretcord .sheet vpasses around a secondary roller ||2 arranged `.on .an axis coaxial with `gear |01. The graphic sheet "f Figure vshows'annode of instrument mounting fin'vvhich` wheel -2., .housingi'|,' source ofpsupply such as :battery :56; fare employed. The `frame 3 .is

manner and by :means'of ear yelements 1125 and 1.26 constituting part of frame #|22 are -lockedto ithebumpen By this means the lentire `fixture is attached to the bumper of the vehicle. .Attention is invited to the fact that bumper lemay. .be the I :rear for "the 'forward `bumper .depending lupon whether it is :desired to push or 'pull the trailer unit. The unit may operatefwith lequal facility 'if' secured to the vehicle running-board .or any 'other portion thereof. The term ltrailer as 'used herein is'intended to cover devices pushed,1.pu:lled,

"for dra-Wnxalon'g sidev ofthe vehicle, such asbeing secured to the Vrunning-board Another .modication 'of the above :device vis schematically illustrated in Figure 5in whichla mercury switch l|163 lis employedy in lieuzof the inertia switch 3B in `'whichtthe vmercury '|163a `closes 'the contacts extending into 4the vmercury tube. The swinging arm element II33'is the Asame as farm Ai9 of the Figure lxdisclosure and its .associated parts 13d, 13|, |32, .and |33 `correspond to simi-lar `parts in Figure l. Associated with arm :|533 is a contact element |39 'Which'selectively engages fixed contacts |31 and |.38corresponding to switch 36. 'The signal comprises lamps 2Mo and '|4l corresponding to red .and green lights 48 andldll, ias indicated above. Ra'rts1225a `and 22th show the detailed construction ofplung'er A33 of elec- Atromagnet which'parts are also presentin the `disclosure of Figure .1. The spring 225 is not shown-in Figure l to withdraw plunger 32. The conductors 1h54, vbattery :224, conductors |65; |66, |61., |258, "|569, .I1-0 and yI`|2 selectively energize the solenoid Yplunger .2.22512 .and illuminate red lamp ,.I4I whencontact |39 engages yxed contact |38.

The normal condition of operation isy such that green lamp :is illuminated, indicating insuffyiicient speed ofthe vehicle. Lamp itt, normally illuminated', is' extinguished after the vehicle 'has reached a preselected speed, whereupon contact |39,wi1l engage contact |38 and ydisengage contact |31 to illuminate red lamp Ifll and energize .the solenoid :so that its plunger 22512 will lbe removed from .a clutch element similar to 2S and @9. The .same type of record elements as illustrated .in `Figures 1 and 3 may be employed with the circuit illustrated in Figure 5. It isunderstood .that :mercury switch |163 will be closed only during :deceleration Aof the vehicle being tested `and lcessation vofthe 'deceleration will immediately lopen the circuit and interrupt the recording -cf #the test data.

y`vThe operation of the aforesaid device for all disclosures is such that when a record Asheetis 'arranged 2ori-'holder 23a or in the spools, as 'shown in Figure 3, motion will be initiated inthe record :holder upon the start of deceleration of the vehicle beingtested; motion'continuing therein un- "til the vehicle comes to vrest in all of the forms except that disclosed by` Figure 5. 'Upon completion of the test, the .record sheet may be re'- moved by disengaging a suitable retaining means. 1-.laying fully ldescribed my invention, that which I claim las novel and desire to protect by Letters .Paten-tof .the United States is.:

1. A stopmetermechanism for a vehicle com-- prising a trailer; a chart support mounted .for

rotation on said trailer; a chart supported thereon; means to rotate said chart support; a clutch to govern the rotation of said means; a solenoid to control the operation of said clutch; an inertia switch; a speed responsive device operable by said means to rotate said chart; means operatively associated with said speed responsive device engageable with the chart to scribe same; means operable by said speed responsive device to release said inertia switch; signal means responsive to said speed responsive device to indicate when the towing vehicle has attained the proper speed, said inertia switch being adapted to close when the towing vehicle decelerates; and means to keep said inertia switch closed.

2. A stopmeter for a vehicle comprising a trailer; a chart support on said trailer; a chart in said support; means to actuate said chart support; a clutch to connect said means with said chart support; a solenoid to control said clutch; a speed responsive device driven from said means; means operatively associated with said speed responsive device engageable with said chart to mark same; a signal to inform the operator of the speed condition of the vehicles; a circuit for said signal; a switch operated by said speed responsive device in said circuit to control said signal; an inertia switch; a circuit for said solenoid including said inertia switch; and means associated with said inertia switch controlled by said speed responsive device to permit operation of said inertia switch upon deceleration of the vehicle to enable movement to be initiated in said chart to thereby record the speed variation and stopping nism, the deceleration of the vehicle closing said inertia switch and actuating said solenoid; and scriber means responsive to the deceleration of the vehicle to scribe a chart located on said chart support.

4. In a stopmeter, a trailer; a first means on said trailer to record the results of a test; a second means to scribe the results of a test on said rst means; a speed responsive device to control said second means; a third means t operate said rst means and said speed responsive device; a clutch in said third means; a fourth means to control said clutch; an inertia responsive means to control said fourth means; and a fifth means controlled by said speed responsive means to place said inertia means in condition for operation upon deceleration of said trailer.

5. In a stopmeter, a vehicle to be moved by a moving body; a record holder on said Vehicle; a record sheet in said holder; means to operate said record holder; a scriber to scribe the record sheet; clutch means to control the application of said rst mentioned means; a speed responsive device operated by said rst mentioned means, said device actuating said scriber; a switch operated by said device; an inertia switch; an electrical circuit including said switch and said inertia switch; means controlled by said speed responsive device to place said inertia switch in operable condition and said third mentioned means operable when the vehicle is decelerated.

6. In a stopmeter, a trailer securable to a towing vehicle; a record holder on said trailer; a record sheet thereon; means to operate said record holder; a clutch to control the application of said means; a solenoid to control the actuation of said clutch; a speed responsive device operated by said means; means operable by said speed responsive device to scribe said record sheet on said record holder; a, switch operated by said speed responsive device; an inertia switch to control said solenoid; an electrical circuit including said switch and said inertia switch and means incorporated in said inertia switch controlled by said switch to place said inertia switch in operable condition, said inertia. switch adapted to close when the towing vehicle is decelerating.

7. In a stopmeter, ,a trailer securable to a towing vehicle; means on said trailer to support a record sheet; a record sheet on said means; means to operate said means; a speed responsive means operated by said last mentioned means; means associated with said speed responsive means to scribe said record sheet; an inertia switch responsive to the movements of said towing vehicle; means on said inertia switch controlled by said speed responsive means to place said inertia switch in operable condition; and means controlled by said inertia switch to enable said operating means to become eiective to operate said record support means after closure to said inertia switch.

8. In a stopmeter device for a towing vehicle, a trailer including a wheel to support same; a chart support on said trailer; means to actuate said chart support by said wheel; a clutch to control the application of said means; a solenoid to control said clutch; a speed responsive device operable by said means; a speed indicating signal means; a scriber operable by said speed responsive device engageable with a chart on said chart support to scribe same; a switch operable by said speed responsive device to control said speed indicating signal means; and an inertia switch made operable by said switch, said inertia switch closing upon braking of said towing vehicle to thereby energize said solenoid and allow said means to actuate said chart support.

9. In a stopmeter device, a trailer; a wheel supporting said trailer; a chart support on said trailer; a chart thereon; means to operate said chart support by said wheel; a clutch to control the application of said means; a solenoid to controlsaid clutch; aspeedresponsive means operable by 'said means; a scriber associated with said speed responsive means; an inertia switch operable by deceleration of the trailer to control said solenoid; a second solenoid to place said inertia switch in operable condition; signal devices; a switch controlled by said speed responsive means to control said signal devices and said second solenoid; and an electrical circuit including said signal devices, said solenoids and said switches.

10. In a stopmeter for a vehicle, a trailer securable to said vehicle; a strip type recorder means on said trailer; drive means to operate said record strip from a wheel of the trailer; a clutch to control the application of said drive means; a speed responsive device operable by said drive means; a switch controlledby said speed responsive device; means to mark said record strip Iand associated with said speed responsive device; an inertia switch controlled by said switch member; means to control said clutch and controlled by said inertia switch; and a circuit for said last 1 9 mentioned means which includes said inertia switch.

11. In a stopmeter for a vehicle, a trailer securable to said vehicle; a chart holder supported on said trailer; a chart thereon; means to operate said chart holder from a wheel of the trailer; a clutch to control the application of said means; a speed responsive device operable by said means; means to scribe said chart associated with said speed responsive device to obtain a permanent record of speed versus distance traveled by said trailer; means to control said clutch; an electrical circuit which includes an inertia switch controlled by said speed responsive device and said last mentioned means; and signal means controlled by said speed responsive device to indicate vehicle speed.

12. In a stopmeter, a trailer; a rst means on said trailer to record the data of a test to produce a permanent record of speed versus distance traveled by said trailer; a second means to scribe the data of a test on said first means; a speed responsive device to actuate said second means; a third means to operate said first means and said speed responsive device; a clutch to control the operation of said third ieans; a fourth means to operate said clutch; and means to control said fourth means. l

13. In a stopmeter, atrailer; a first means on said trailer to record th'eidata of a test; a second means to scribe the data of a test on said rst means; a speed responsive device to actuate said second means; a third means to operate said rst means and said speed responsive device; a clutch t0 control the operatic fourth means to opera aid clutch; means to control said fourth means; and means to permanently record the speedof the towing vehicle on said rst means.

ARTHUR N. MILSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file oi this patent:

UNITED sTATs PA'I'ENTs 

